20 gallon nano...refugium needed?

[dmolavi]

I know that for a nano, a skimmer isn't needed (though still recommended, and I plan on eventually getting a Reef Octopus BH-90). What about a refugium? I might be picking up a mod'ed AC 50 for this purpose, but if it has no added (or so little that it might as well be none) benefit, I'd rather save the cash for other parts.

 

[mr_X]

I don't think you need it.

 

[dmolavi]

Thanks...That money can go to the skimmer instead. And the lights

 

[mr_X]

I don't think you need a skimmer either. It will probably be more trouble than it's worth, and ugly to look at. You can do a better job at keeping the tank healthy with weekly water changes.

 

[dmolavi]

That's good to hear, and I'm religious about the weeklies on my 55, 5 and 3 gallon tanks. I even have Excel spreadsheets tracking all the parameters, filter changes, etc.

More money for the lights

 

[Bsnow0410]

I don't think you need a skimmer either. It will probably be more trouble than it's worth, and ugly to look at. You can do a better job at keeping the tank healthy with weekly water changes.

Wait so you don't really need a skimmer for a 20gal? If your doing weekly water changes and filter changes?

 

[dmolavi]

Not if you keep up on maintenance.

 

[Bsnow0410]

Not if you keep up on maintenance.

Ok thanks

 

[Wolfsblood]

I don't think its big enough to make much of a difference in an Aquaclear. I built one for mine because I would like to have a safe haven for pods mostly.

 

[Bsnow0410]

I don't think its big enough to make much of a difference in an Aquaclear. I built one for mine because I would like to have a safe haven for pods mostly.

So really no point to use a protein skimmer even when I put corals in?

 

[mr_X]

A protein skimmer cleans the water. It's also ugly to see hanging off of the side or back of a tank, and can also cloud up the water with micro bubbles. If you can keep your tank clean with water changes, you don't need it. That's pretty easy to do on a 20.

 

[Bsnow0410]

A protein skimmer cleans the water. It's also ugly to see hanging off of the side or back of a tank, and can also cloud up the water with micro bubbles. If you can keep your tank clean with water changes, you don't need it. That's pretty easy to do on a 20.

Thanks for the info

 

[The Iceman]

I have a 20g long nano with no fuge or skimmer and I do a weekly water change and my water is crystal clear.

 

[Mebbid]

A refugium isn't needed for a 20g tank. But I would like to point out that it can be very useful, especially for people that are new to saltwater tanks as the increased water volume can be a big help in keeping water parameters at acceptable levels.

 

[SaltwaterNuB]

I just got a 20g tall that I plan to make into a nano. I'm going to drill it and use a 20g long as a sump. So from what X has been saying a slimmer is not needed. How many chambers should I have in the sump for this application?

 

[mr_X]

What are you putting in the sump?

 

[SaltwaterNuB]

Well I was going to put a skimmer in first chamber then sand, chaeto, and rock in middle, last would be the return... If less is more then I'm open to your thoughts? I was given this tank and I'm pretty stoked about turning it into a nano for my kids.

 

[mr_X]

Well, if you are having a sump under the stand then the skimmer negatives I spoke about earlier don't apply- you won't see it and the microbubbles will be stopped before they hit the dt.
So, if you want a skimmer on this system, 3 would be the amount. Either way 3 would be the amount, since you don't want the water crashing down right into the refugium, blowing your sand all over the place, you probably want at least a filter sock in the first compartment, and you want the refugium separated from the return area.

 

[SaltwaterNuB]

For sure about he filter sock. Not sure if I can fit that and skimmer both in 1st chamber. We'll see. I might have to make my 3rd chamber super small. Just big enough or return pump.

 

[mr_X]

That's all you need anyway...you are going to use an ATO right?